Business Phone Service in Parkesburg, PA

Making a phone call is still the most preferred method of initiating contact with a business, so it's crucial for any business to consider the affordability as well as features and reliability of their business phone service. There are some different technologies available to businesses in Parkesburg, PA, who are comparing possible service providers - and we here at MyRatePlan will help you come to an informed, educated and good decision! The three main types of technology we're going to discuss are VoIP (which stands for Voice over Internet Protocol, meaning that the phone calls are routed through and over the internet itself to your computer or a traditional phone), PBX (which stands for Private Branch Exchange, and is a system whereby an enterprise-level customer can have any number of local-to-itself lines that all share the same or same few external lines) and - what the industry likes to call it - POTS, or 'Plain Old Telephone Service,' which is the standard that we've all grown up with.

What is Business VoIP Telephone Service in Parkesburg, PA?

America's VoIP networks have a significantly shorter history than their analog counterparts. Individuals started using them more than 10 years ago. A relatively short time ago, substantial numbers of businesses began to adopt VoIP. This type of telephone service has achieved greater popularity among new and small firms. Such enterprises are more concerned about operating expenses, and they haven't invested as much money in analog equipment.

Business VoIP systems in Parkesburg, PA provide clear audio that sounds much better than a cellular phone. However, it's vital to use an Internet service with adequate bandwidth. MyRatePlan's speed testing tool can determine if an existing connection could handle VoIP communications. Companies must obtain reliable Internet access before using this kind of phone service. Otherwise, dropped calls may become a serious problem.

The VoIP and PSTN systems transmit calls in much different ways. Landlines use their own infrastructure and analog signals or a combination of analog and digital communications. On the other hand, VoIP digitizes all audio and transmits it as Internet data. This makes many calls less expensive because it doesn't require separate infrastructure.

Parkesburg, PA businesses generally pay less to initiate non-local or global calls on VoIP systems. A number of companies provide flat-rate plans. This enables users to call people for unlimited periods of time without paying extra. Flat-rate calling usually cuts costs and always results in a more predictable monthly bill.

When companies in Parkesburg, PA subscribe to VoIP service, there are plans available for small, medium and large firms. A startup with only one phone can find affordable options by looking for providers that cater to small firms. The same goes for midsized companies with a few local or regional offices. On the other hand, corporations may have hundreds of employees who need separate extensions. Some VoIP providers have the ability to meet their needs as well.

Selecting The Best Business Phone Service Provider in Parkesburg, PA

The VoIP industry is highly competitive. Although the broad menu of choices may seem overwhelming to you at times, it is possible to leverage the competitive nature of the market to your benefit.

The initial step for narrowing down your choice is determining exactly what your needs are. It is important to know the exact number of lines you will need and what features you need to make your business run smoothly on a daily basis. Your budget will also come into play so you'll need to know exactly what you can afford. Also, be mindful of your plans for future expansion and what phone services you will need when that expansion is completed.

Information about Parkesburg, PA VoIP providers is readily available. Take the time to research their prices and the services that they offer. Get a feel for their reputation also. Keep in mind that your phone system is the heart of your company's communication infrastructure and that that infrastructure is only as good as the company you choose. You want to go with a company that has proven to be highly reliable and service-oriented.

What is PSTN Phone Service in Parkesburg, PA?

PSTN stands for public switched analog network. Traditional business phone services carry phone calls over a complicated system of cables, satellites, mobile networks and analog lines on a public network. Several different companies own the equipment that a voice call must travel through on the analog network, and that increases the complexity and expense of the system. PSTN is the original telephone system that has been in use for over a century.

The PSTN network is old, requires much maintenance and lacks the ability to send large amounts of data quickly. For these reasons, PSTN service in Parkesburg, PA is more expensive than VoIP service.

PBX and Analog Phone Systems in Parkesburg, PA

Almost all local businesses make use of a PBX (private branch exchange), which directs any incoming calls at their Parkesburg, PA office. The PBX makes it possible for businesses to use different call features, including caller ID, multiple lines, live seminars, call waiting, voice messaging, etc.

An analog phone system PBX is found either at the customer's facility or on a hosted server. But no matter which method you choose, analog PBXs all have one significant downside: high costs. Putting together a whole company phone system with a PBX calls for a number of different kinds of machines to be obtained, an investment that will set you back at least $1,000 and quite possibly more - and naturally that figure doesn't include installment, setup, and routine maintenance. So you have the choice of getting an on-site technician to take care of it all for you or hiring a third party and that could easily cost over a hundred bucks per hour.

If you do decide to manage your Parkesburg, PA organization's communications with an analog PBX, you should consider that changing or upgrading it is often complicated and definitely not cheap. Several PBX providers allot each client a restricted number of outside lines. In these cases, if your corporation ever expands and you have a need for more lines, you'll have to buy more machines in order to support this expansion.

The same as other kinds of digital hardware, PBX systems are vulnerable to malfunctions and other issues. You might find it necessary to spend money on expensive repairs and new hardware whenever a problem arises with your PBX. Plus, the unit is sure to become outmoded and will require replacement from time to time.